Peatlands Collaborative & Technical Network Officer

This post will support the delivery of the Northern Ireland Peatland Strategy, helping to maximise the contribution of peatlands to Northern Ireland’s net zero journey and contribute to reversing the decline of biodiversity.

The Peatlands Collaborative & Technical Network Officer will be responsible for supporting the development of a network of peatland restoration practitioners to promote consistency of approach across Northern Ireland, enable sharing of experiences and best practice and facilitate CPD for professionals and contractors. They will collate collective data and evidence from members that will feed into the DAERA peatland strategy progress reports and the NI Carbon Action Plan. This role will include the coordination of standard monitoring protocols agreed with NIEA and network members building an accurate database of peatland characteristics including peat depth, carbon stock, IPCC emission classes and biodiversity condition.

A key aspect of the role will be to provide spatial and statistical evidence to inform decision-making and evaluate the impacts of restoration delivered by Network members and Ulster Wildlife to enable practitioners to constantly improve the effectiveness of restoration techniques through collective knowledge, experience and science. The post holder will work closely with DAERA, providing periodical reports, and robust evidence for decision-making, forward planning and measuring success.

This post is funded by the DAERA Environment Fund and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.